``Parents are looking for tools,'' he said. ``They feel pressured but at the same time they want to do all they can for their children.''

Some questions parents have may be as simple as how to get a child to clean up his or her room without badgering. Others involve more complex issues, such as peer pressure and substance abuse. No matter what the questions, parents are always looking for answers.

In the not-so-distant past, parenting seminars were not needed, said Diane Papa, a Newington parent.

``Instead of workshops, people just went to their families to talk about these issues,'' she said. But these days, when grandparents and siblings are often scattered across the country, experts such as Faber can offer useful tips.

``If you walk away with one more technique teaching you how to deal with your child, then it's worth it,'' said Papa, the mother of a seventh- grader and a third-grader.

``Kids are dealing with a lot more things than we did when we were their age,'' Papa added. ``As parents, we need to realize that it's OK to be the bad guy sometimes.''

Lucy DiNardi of Newington said Faber's talk might help to decrease the sense of isolation many parents feel. ``As parents, we need support,'' she said. ``We need to realize we're all in this together.''

Mary Ellen Gregorio of Wethersfield, a mother of three who has purchased tickets to attend the program, said there are different challenges facing every child. And, lately, she said, there has been a shift in what is required of parents which creates some confusion.

``Parenting is hard and in some cases, schools are being expected to do what parents should be,'' she said.

Gregorio said things like health education, breakfast and school transportation -- once considered a parents' role -- have been taken on by schools.

She said she thinks parents who have ``given up'' need to be reminded of their ever-important jobs as role models.

``I think it's wonderful the system is sponsoring this program,'' said Gregorio, a nursery school director who has also purchased tickets for her staff. ``Parents are turning to professionals for help.''

Margaret Zacchei, also a Wethersfield parent, said she wants to learn how to keep the stress level down for her two children in terms of peer pressure and school.

``I'm looking for hints not only from the speaker, but from other parents who may have already gone through this,'' said Zacchei who has an 8- and 11-year-old.

``I'm also looking for some validation that some of what I have done was the right thing to do in terms of raising my children.''

Parents who are interested in the seminar but cannot attend may find answers to their questions in one of her books. Faber and co-author Elaine Mazlish have published several parenting manuals including ``Liberated Parents, Liberated Children,'' ``Siblings Without Rivalry,'' and their latest ``How to Talk So Kids Can Learn: At Home and In School.''